Chapter 3 – The River of Secrets
The stars shimmered gently over the silent waters of the Ganga river. The world slept, but Kunti did not.
She held a small basket close to her chest, inside it a newborn baby wrapped in fine cloth. His skin glowed softly, and his eyes were unusually calm. He didn't cry. Not even once.
> "Why are you so quiet?" Kunti whispered. "Why won't you cry like normal babies?"
Behind her, her maid stood nervously.
> "Princess… are you sure about this? He's so pure… so peaceful. You can still—"
Kunti turned sharply.
> "No! If anyone finds out… I'll be shamed. No one must know I had this child."
The maid hesitated.
> "Let me raise him, please. I swear I'll keep him hidden."
Kunti's eyes filled with fear and fury.
> "No one can know."
In a swift motion, she pulled a dagger from her sash and stabbed the maid in the side. The woman gasped, falling to the ground. Blood soaked her clothes.
> "Forgive me," Kunti whispered, but her voice lacked feeling. "You knew too much."
She turned back to the basket. Her hands trembled as she knelt by the river and pushed it gently into the current.
The baby floated silently, looking up at the sky, eyes calm like he knew what was coming.
As the water carried him away, Kunti looked up at the night.
> "Ganga Devi! If this child dies, it will be your fault! Not mine! Your river took him, not me!"
---
Ganga Devi Watches
High above, hidden from mortal eyes, Ganga Devi stood, her divine form glowing faintly. Her eyes were wide with disbelief.
> "You dare blame me? You killed your maid, and now you cast your own son away..."
Her heart ached as she saw the baby drift, peaceful and silent. She descended swiftly and lifted the basket from the water.
> "You poor thing… you didn't cry. You didn't complain. What kind of soul are you?"
The baby looked at her, still silent.
Suddenly, a soft chime echoed in the air.
---
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
"Maternal bond with Kunti: Severed.
Emotional link permanently destroyed."
Updating family tree…
Kunti removed from maternal lineage.
Searching for new maternal figure…
Divine Recognition Confirmed."
---
Ganga blinked at the sudden divine voice in her mind. But the child still looked at her with those deep, unblinking eyes.
> "You're not an ordinary soul… and yet, I can't feel your true origin."
She fed him soft divine essence, keeping him warm and full.
> "Don't worry. I will protect you."
She gently tried to carry him up toward Swarga, but a barrier stopped her.
> "What is this? Why can't I take you up?"
---
Surya Appears
A golden light flashed beside her, and Surya Deva appeared in the sky.
> "He cannot go to Swarga. Not yet."
Ganga turned in surprise.
> "Surya Deva? Do you… know this child?"
Surya paused. He looked at the baby with both pain and pride. His voice was low.
> "He is mine—"
Suddenly, the divine current shifted, and his words were interpreted differently by the cosmos.
> "He is… a child of light. Let the world believe only that. No one must know more… except the Trimurtis and Tridevis."
Ganga frowned slightly but said nothing. She understood enough.
> "Then what do we do now? I cannot keep him in Swarga, and I cannot return him to the mother who abandoned him."
Surya pointed down toward the world.
> "There are two among my true believers—a couple who've been praying for a child. Test their hearts. If they are worthy, let them raise him."
---
Ganga Accepts Him
She looked at the baby one more time. Her heart melted.
> "I don't know who you are… but you are special. And I… I will be your godmother."
As she spoke the words, another chime echoed.
---
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
"Ganga Devi has acknowledged host as her divine godson."
Family Tree Updated:
Celestial Father: Surya Deva
Celestial Mothers: Sanjna Devi, Chhaya Devi
Mortal Father: None
Mortal Mother: None
Divine Godmother: Ganga Devi
---
Ganga smiled softly.
> "You are mine now, little one. I'll find you a family worthy of raising you."
She held the basket close and floated down the Ganga river, looking for the charioteer's village… where two souls unknowingly waited to become the parents of a god-touched child.